Dangerous Ground (1997)
A South African exile returns home, only to be pulled into Johannesburg's brutal post-apartheid underworld searching for his missing brother.
Dangerous Ground - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: Darrell James Roodt
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 35m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, French, Polish
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 12, 1997 (United States - R), May 16, 1997 (United Kingdom)
- Production Companies: New Line Cinema, Jacaranda Films, Investec Merchant Bank
- Production Countries: United States of America, South Africa
Dangerous Ground - Plot
Vusi Madlazi returns to the South African village he left as a young boy to bury his father. He meets up with his brother Ernest, who tells him their other brother Stephen couldn't be contacted. Vusi goes to Johannesburg to find him, but at first can only find his neighbor/girlfriend, Karin, a stripper. Vusi proceeds to learn how conditions have changed since the end of apartheid, not always for the better for black men.
Dangerous Ground - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold:
What he wants is revenge. What he gets is the fight of his life.
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Dangerous Ground - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Darrell James Roodt
Main Cast
- Ice Cube
- Elizabeth Hurley
- Ving Rhames
- Thokozani Nkosi
- Ron Smerczak
- Wilson Dunster
- Sechaba Morojele
- Peter Khubeke
- Roslyn Morapedi
- Mabel Mafuya
Writers
- Greg Latter
- Darrell James Roodt
Producers
- Gillian Gorfil
- Darrell James Roodt
Dangerous Ground - FAQs
What is Dangerous Ground about?
Dangerous Ground follows Vusi Madlazi, a South African exile who returns home after years abroad to bury his father. When he discovers his younger brother Stephen has gone missing in Johannesburg, he plunges into the city's post-apartheid criminal underworld to find him, confronting a changed and volatile nation along the way.
Does Dangerous Ground explore post-apartheid South Africa?
Absolutely. The film uses Vusi's homecoming as a lens to examine the turbulent realities of South Africa after apartheid's end. Rather than a triumphant new dawn, the story reveals persistent poverty, gang violence, and moral disorientation — a society still struggling to find its footing in the mid-1990s.
Who are the main actors in Dangerous Ground?
Ice Cube leads the cast as Vusi Madlazi, with Elizabeth Hurley playing Karen, his missing brother's girlfriend. Ving Rhames rounds out the key trio as the menacing drug lord Muki. Sechaba Morojele also appears as Vusi's brother Ernest.
Where can you watch Dangerous Ground online?
Streaming availability for Dangerous Ground varies by region and changes over time. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which tracks current rental, purchase, and streaming options across all major platforms in your area so you can find the most up-to-date viewing options.
Is Dangerous Ground based on a true story?
No, Dangerous Ground is not based on a specific true story. It is an original screenplay by Greg Latter and director Darrell James Roodt. However, the film draws heavily on the real social conditions of post-apartheid South Africa in the mid-1990s, lending it a grounded, documentary-like authenticity.
Why did Ice Cube take the role in Dangerous Ground?
Ice Cube was drawn to the project partly for its South African setting and its exploration of a Black man reconnecting with his African roots — themes that resonated with his own artistic identity. The film offered him a dramatic role with cultural weight beyond the typical action fare of the era.
Who directed Dangerous Ground?
Darrell James Roodt directed the film. A South African filmmaker, Roodt is known for tackling socially charged stories set in his home country. He also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Greg Latter and served as a producer on the project.
What is the age rating for Dangerous Ground?
Dangerous Ground is rated R in the United States. The rating reflects the film's mature content, including violence, drug-related themes, and adult situations tied to its crime drama storyline set in Johannesburg's underworld.
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